My New Book - out April 21st, 2026!

REAL WRITERS NEVER QUIT: What hundreds of authors reveal about not giving up
https://mybook.to/realwritersneverquit

This week on The Write Place Podcast, I’m joined once again by author Nikki Moore, returning to the show on the eve of a major milestone.

After years of traditional publishing with HarperCollins, Nikki has taken the leap into self-publishing with her brand new novel Magical Beginnings in Little Bowbrook, writing under a new pen name, Bella Brightside. We dig into what drove that decision, the realities of going indie, and what she’s learned along the way.

It’s an honest, practical conversation about control, risk, patience, and backing yourself as a writer, whether you’re just starting out or already established.

We also talk about hybrid authorship, building a launch strategy, and why readers ultimately care far less about publishing routes than writers think.

In This Episode, We Cover:

• Why Nikki turned down a traditional book deal
• The decision to self-publish and become a hybrid author
• The steep learning curve of distribution, formatting, and production
• Building a professional product as an indie author
• Launch strategy, timing, and pre-orders
• The myth of stigma around self-publishing
• Writing process: from pantser to structured plotter
• The realities of juggling writing with a full-time job
• Practical advice for writers considering the indie route

About Nikki Moore

Nikki Moore is a UK-based author of contemporary romance and women’s fiction. She has been traditionally published by HarperCollins and is known for writing uplifting, emotionally resonant stories centred around love, community, and resilience.

She also writes under the pen names Ella Allbright and, more recently, Bella Brightside, reflecting different sub-genres within her work. With the release of Magical Beginnings in Little Bowbrook, Nikki has now stepped into self-publishing, making her a hybrid author.

Find Out More About Nikki

• Website: https://nickimooreauthor.wordpress.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/authorbythesea1207

Links & Resources Mentioned

• Tea Leaves & Reads Bookshop (Andover): https://www.tealeavesandreads.co.uk
• Vellum (formatting software): https://vellum.pub
• Scrivener: https://www.literatureandlatte.com/scrivener

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Final Thought

Nikki’s experience highlights a simple truth that’s easy to overlook. There isn’t one “right” way to build a writing career. There’s only the path that makes sense for you at that moment.

The key is being willing to learn, adapt, and back your own judgement.